Spatula

ABSTRACT

A spatula specifically designed to retrieve contents, typically, the remnants, from a container having a constricted opening, has an elongated handle with a flexible blade peripherally defined by a pair of shoulders extending laterally from the handle and rounding to form a pair of side edges. A first side edge is generally parallel to the handle and terminates in a bottom edge extending perpendicularly from the first side edge. The second side edge originates from an acute angle with the second shoulder and extends obliquely toward the handle and terminates in an obtuse rounded angel with the bottom edge of the spatula. Topographically, the spatula blade has a front face surface having a concave depression and a back surface generally accommodating the front face surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a device for accumulating andretrieving the contents, typically the remnants, from containers havingsmall openings. More specifically, the invention relates to a uniquelydesigned and constructed spatula for removing liquid and semi-liquidcosmetic products from containers having constricted openings.

Many cosmetics sold at retail are packaged and presented in artfullycreated containers. Many of the containers and their ports of access arevery small to impart or reinforce the impression that the contents areextremely potent, allegedly effective in very small quantities, andthereby justify an exorbitant, or at least a premium cost.

While the small and constricted openings in the containers may limitaccidental spillage, they also increase the difficulty of extracting theentire contents from the container. When the contents are expensive, asthey frequently are, it can be extremely irritating and frustrating tosee un-retrieved contents go unused and wasted because ofinaccessibility.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The prior art relating to and encompassing the design and function ofspatulas is legion. Almost all spatulas are flexible, and it would berare to find a spatula that cannot be used to scrape the sides of acontainer to maximize the retrieval of dregs or to effect the completetransfer of contents from one container to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Notwithstanding the existence and awareness of all manner of spatulas,the instantly disclosed and claimed spatula is unique in both form andfunction. Herein described is a flexible spatula specifically designedfor retrieving the contents, typically, the remnants, from a containerhaving a constricted opening. With particularity, the disclosed spatulacomprises an elongated handle having proximal and distal ends and aflexible blade attached to the distal end of the handle. The blade isperipherally defined by a pair of shoulders extending laterally from thehandle. The first shoulder extends from the handle and rounds at about a90° angle to originate a first side edge of the spatula. The first sideedge is oriented generally parallel to the handle and terminates in arounded corner forming the origin of the bottom edge of the spatula. Thebottom edge of the spatula extends generally perpendicularly from thefirst side edge. The second shoulder of the blade extends from thehandle and rounds at an acute angle to originate a second side edge. Thesecond side edge is generally oriented obliquely toward the handle andterminates in a rounded obtuse angle with the bottom edge of the blade.Topographically, the blade has a front face surface forming a spoon-likedepression disposed between the first and second side edges and a backsurface generally opposing and accommodating the front face surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an elevated front view of the disclosed spatula.

FIG. 2 is an elevated side view of the spatula.

FIG. 3 is an isolated enlarged view of the blade of the spatula.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spatula.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the spatula being inserted into (orretrieved from) the constricted opening of a container.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 depict the disclosed spatula within the confines ofcontainers having interior walls of various shapes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A full appreciation of the disclosed spatula is enhanced by frequentreference to the drawing. The elevated frontal view of FIG. 1 depictsthe disclosed spatula 10 and all of its essential elements. Immediatelyapparent is the elongated handle 12. The precise length of the handle isunimportant, but repeated experimentation suggests that the spatulafunctions best when the handle is about 6 to 9 inches long and taperedtoward the proximal end. At this length, the handle provides acomfortable gripping surface while the spatula is being maneuvered andeffectively positions the blade 14 of the spatula 10 to reach the innerdepths and corners of most containers. The handle is conveniently madefrom a generally rigid plastic material, such as ABS plastic, whicheconomically provides sufficient rigidity for the intended purpose ofuse and sufficient flexibility to avoid breakage.

The flexible blade 14 is attached to the distal end of the handle 12 ofthe spatula 10. The blade 14 is necessarily flexible and is preferablyformed by molding from a thermoplastic elastomeric material such as anyof a variety of natural or synthetic organic or silicone polymers. Theprincipal requirements for the material composition of the blade arethat it be suitably flexible to fit within the constricted opening of acontainer and resilient enough to return to its original shape withinthe container to perform according to plan. In use, the blade isinserted through the constricted opening of a container, the sides andthe bottom of the container are scraped by angling the spatula and usingthe first, second and bottom edges to to retrieve and accumulate thecontents, typically, the remnants of the container. Once accumulated,the recaptured remnants are positioned in the cupped surface between thefirst and second edges and the blade is removed. For removal, of course,it is necessary for the blade to once again conform to the size of theconstricted opening and retain its accumulated contents while beingremoved from the interior of the container 30.

In the preferred embodiment of the disclosed spatula, the blade 14 isattached to the distal end of the spatula 10 with the aid of a moldedcollar 19. To appreciate the design and construction, an isolated,enlarged view of the blade is presented in FIG. 3. The blade 14 isperipherally defined by a pair of shoulders each extending laterallyfrom the distal end of the handle. A first shoulder 16 extends laterallyfrom the handle and terminates by forming a rounded corner 21. Therounded corner originates the first side edge 20 of the blade 13. Thefirst side edge 20 of the blade is oriented generally parallel to thehandle 12 and extends until it terminates in a rounded corner 25 whereit originates the bottom edge 26 of the blade 14, and extends generallyperpendicularly from the first side edge 20. A second shoulder 18 alsoextends laterally from the handle 12 in a diametrically oppositedirection to the first shoulder. The second shoulder 18 extendslaterally until forming a rounded corner 22 which originates the secondside edge 24 of the blade. The second side edge 24 originates from therounded corner 22 and extends obliquely from rounded corner 22 formingan obtuse angle 23 with the second shoulder. The orientation of thesecond side edge 24 is toward the handle 12 of the spatula 10 andextends in its oblique orientation until it terminates in a roundedcorner 27 forming an obtuse angle 29 with the bottom edge 26 of theblade 14.

The foregoing defines the periphery of the flexible blade 14. Thetopography of the blade 14 is also uniquely structured to enable thedesired performance of the spatula 10. Referring to FIG. 2, it isapparent that the blade 14 has a front face surface 15 and a backsurface 17. The front face 15 is more functional. The front face 15 isnecessarily and generally depressed or contoured to form a spoon-likedepression. The spoon-like depression may also be characterized as acupped surface disposed between the first 20 and second 24 edges. Thedepression dominates the front surface 15 and is intended to facilitatethe retrieval of contents from the container after they have beenscraped and gathered from the sides and corners of the container 30.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spatula offered for the purpose ofillustrating the generally depressed or concave nature of the front facesurface 15. The top plan view of FIG. 5 illustrates the flexibility andorientation of the blade 14 during entry and exit through a constrictedopening 32 in a container 30. Note the flexibility and orientation ofthe first 16 and second 18 shoulders as they converge to minimize thewidth of the blade while the first and second sides 20 and 24 partiallyenvelope the concave front surface 15. The envelopment is particularlyhelpful in confining the retrieved contents during removal from thecontainer 30.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate the application of the unique designfeatures of the disclosed spatula 10. For instance, in FIG. 6 thealignment of the first side edge 20 is particularly useful in scrapingremnants from the sides of containers having straight, vertical orcylindrical sides. And in FIG. 7, it is apparent that the oblique angleof the second side edge 24 is appropriately positioned to scrape thesides of similarly shaped containers 30. FIG. 8 illustrates the utilityof the rounded corners 21, 22, 25 and 27 in being able to dredge thesimilarly rounded inside corners of the container 30.

While the foregoing is a detailed and complete description of thepreferred embodiments of the disclosed flexible spatula, it should beapparent that numerous variations and modifications can be made andemployed to implement the all important purpose of the disclosed spatulawithout departing from the spirit of the invention, which is fairlydefined by the appended claims.

1. A spatula for retrieving contents from a container having aconstricted opening, said spatula comprising: an elongated handle havingproximal and distal ends; and, a flexible blade attached to said distalend of said handle, said blade peripherally defined by a first andsecond pair of shoulders extending laterally from said handle, saidfirst shoulder rounding to form a first side edge oriented generallyparallel to said handle and terminating in a rounded corner forming abottom edge extending generally perpendicularly from said first sideedge; and, said second shoulder rounding at an acute angle forming asecond side edge obliquely oriented toward said handle and terminatingin a rounded corner forming an obtuse angle at said bottom edge; and,said defined flexible blade having a front face surface having a concavedepression and a back surface generally opposing said front facesurface.
 2. The spatula according to claim 1 wherein the handle istapered toward said proximal end.